U.S. patent number 8,263,863 [Application Number 12/652,186] was granted by the patent office on 2012-09-11 for cable radius anchor for wire mesh basket tray.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Chatsworth Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Joshua James Young.
United States Patent |
8,263,863 |
Young |
September 11, 2012 |
Cable radius anchor for wire mesh basket tray
Abstract
A cable radius anchor for providing cable transition to and from
a wire mesh basket tray includes a mounting portion and a drop
portion. The mounting portion has an undercut tab at an outer edge
thereof for adjoining placement relative to a first wire of the
wire mesh basket tray, and the drop portion extends from the
mounting portion and is configured to curve away from the mounting
portion. The drop portion includes drop ears at each side thereof
for adjoining placement relative to at least one additional wire of
the wire mesh basket tray that is transverse to the first wire. The
drop portion has a width greater than a width of the mounting
portion.
Inventors: |
Young; Joshua James (Austin,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Chatsworth Products, Inc.
(Westlake Village, CA)
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Family
ID: |
42311078 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/652,186 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20100171004 A1 |
Jul 8, 2010 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61142612 |
Jan 5, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
174/68.1;
248/68.1; 174/135; 385/135; 248/73; 174/68.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/0443 (20130101); H02G 3/045 (20130101); Y10T
29/49826 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
H02G
3/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/480,481,68.1,68.3,72A,135,97,95,99R ;211/26
;248/68.1,49,51,53,73 ;385/134,135 ;29/428 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1337647 |
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Nov 1995 |
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CA |
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0418167 |
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Mar 1989 |
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EP |
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0298825 |
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Apr 1992 |
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EP |
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0298825 |
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Apr 1992 |
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EP |
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2007578 |
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Jan 1992 |
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ES |
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2122829 |
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Dec 1998 |
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ES |
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2617341 |
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Dec 1988 |
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FR |
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2711208 |
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Apr 1995 |
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FR |
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981072 |
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Jan 1965 |
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GB |
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MI94A02059 |
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Oct 1994 |
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IT |
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87843 |
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May 1989 |
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PT |
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Primary Examiner: Estrada; Angel R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tillman Wright, PLLC Wright; James
D. Tillman; Chad D.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application
of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to, U.S.
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/142,612, filed Jan. 5,
2009, which provisional patent application is incorporated by
reference herein.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cable radius anchor for providing a cable transition path to
and from a wire mesh basket tray, comprising: (a) a mounting
portion having an undercut tab at an outer edge thereof for
adjoining placement relative to a first wire of the wire mesh
basket tray; (b) a drop portion extending from the mounting portion
and configured to curve away from the mounting portion, the drop
portion having drop ears at each side thereof for adjoining
placement relative to at least one additional wire of the wire mesh
basket tray that is transverse to the first wire; and (c) at least
one foldable locking tab for securement of the mounting portion to
the wire mesh basket tray; (d) wherein the drop portion has a width
greater than a width of the mounting portion.
2. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, further comprising one or
more accessory apertures extending through at least one of the
mounting portion and the drop portion.
3. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion
is attachable to the wire mesh basket tray toollessly.
4. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion
facilitates mounting of the cable radius anchor in a front-to-back
configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray.
5. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, wherein the mounting portion
facilitates mounting of the cable radius anchor in a side
configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray.
6. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, further comprising
strengthening ribs extending along at least a portion of the length
of the drop portion.
7. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, wherein the width of the
drop portion changes variably along the length thereof.
8. The cable radius anchor of claim 1, wherein the width of the
drop portion changes uniformly along the length thereof.
9. A cable radius anchor for providing a cable transition path to
and from a wire mesh basket tray, comprising: (a) a mounting
portion configured for toolless attachment relative to the wire
mesh basket tray; (b) a drop portion extending from the mounting
portion and configured to curve away from the mounting portion; and
(c) at least one foldable locking tab for securement of the
mounting portion to the wire mesh basket tray.
10. The cable radius anchor of claim 9, further comprising one or
more accessory apertures extending through at least one of the
mounting portion and the drop portion.
11. The cable radius anchor of claim 9, wherein the mounting
portion facilitates mounting of the cable radius anchor in a
front-to-back configuration relative to the wire mesh basket
tray.
12. The cable radius anchor of claim 9, wherein the mounting
portion facilitates mounting of the cable radius anchor in a side
configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray.
13. The cable radius anchor of claim 9, further comprising
strengthening ribs extending along at least a portion of the length
of the drop portion.
14. The cable radius anchor of claim 9, wherein the drop portion
has a width greater than a width of the mounting portion.
15. A method of toollessly installing a cable radius anchor in a
wire mesh basket tray comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a
mounting portion of the cable radius anchor through a mesh opening
in the wire mesh basket tray such that a drop portion of the cable
radius anchor extends beneath the wire mesh basket tray; (b)
positioning the cable radius anchor to engage an undercut tab of
the mounting portion with a first wire of the wire mesh basket
tray; (c) adjusting at least one locking tab relative to the wire
mesh basket tray to secure the cable radius anchor to the wire mesh
basket tray; and (d) positioning the cable radius anchor to engage
drop ears at each side thereof with at least one additional wire of
the wire mesh basket tray that is transverse to the first wire.
16. A method of toollessly installing a cable radius anchor in a
wire mesh basket tray comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a
mounting portion of the cable radius anchor through a mesh opening
in the wire mesh basket tray such that a drop portion of the cable
radius anchor extends beneath the wire mesh basket tray; (b)
positioning the cable radius anchor to engage an undercut tab of
the mounting portion with a first wire of the wire mesh basket
tray; (c) adjusting at least one locking tab relative to the wire
mesh basket tray to secure the cable radius anchor to the wire mesh
basket tray; and (d) twisting the cable radius anchor to permit
positioning of adjacent wires of the wire mesh basket tray within a
pair of slots at either side of the drop portion of the cable
radius anchor.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of
untwisting the cable radius anchor to arrange the mounting portion
generally flatly relative to the bottom portion of the wire mesh
basket tray.
Description
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright
protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other
countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent
disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but,
otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a cable radius anchor
for providing a radial transition from a cable pathway, and more
particularly to a cable radius anchor for use in connection with
providing a radial transition from a wire mesh basket tray.
2. Background
Wire mesh basket trays for routing cables and other wires are
generally known. Exemplary such trays are configured as a series of
individual troughs attached together in end-to-end relationship to
define a path for cables. Each individual trough is assembled from
a mesh configuration of spaced-apart longitudinal wires and
spaced-apart transverse cross wires, which are each typically
composed of metal. Transverse cross wires are arranged to have a
general "U" shape and are welded to the longitudinal wires at
intersection points, thereby defining the structure of the trough.
The general "U" shape in the longitudinal direction provides the
trough with a bottom for supporting cables and two lateral sides.
Individual troughs are then attached end-to-end to form a basket
tray for routing cables of any desired length or configuration.
Basket trays, upon assembly, may be employed for use in routing
cables in a variety of ways within a data center, such as beneath a
raised floor environment or suspended overhead. Cables supported in
the basket tray may be transitioned to and from the cable pathway
of the basket tray relative to cable management racks and other
electronic equipment in the data center. Transition to and from the
cable pathway may be accomplished by dropping one or more of the
cables between adjacent wires of the basket tray, which is
typically aided by the inclusion of a cable radius anchor mounted
on the basket tray. Known cable radius anchors include a mounting
portion that attaches the cable radius anchor to the basket tray
and a rounded drop portion that eliminates sharp bends where cables
enter into and exit from the cable pathway of the basket tray. In
this manner, the rounded bend radius of the drop portion reduces
the negative impact of excess bending as cables enter and exit the
cable pathway of the basket tray.
Known cable radius anchors also present a number of drawbacks that
limit their overall effectiveness. Many known cable radius anchors
require the use of separate fasteners, such as pins or splice
bolts, to physically mount the cable radius anchor to the basket
tray. The use of fasteners in attaching the cable radius anchor to
the basket tray increases the installation time. Other known cable
radius anchors limit the size of the drop portion so as to fit
between adjacent wires of the mesh. In this regard, such cable
radius anchors are typically much more narrow than the mesh of the
basket tray upon which they are mounted. Still other known cable
radius anchors require cutting of the mesh in order to allow the
radius anchor to be fitted, which damages the integrity of the
basket tray.
A need exists for a cable radius anchor wider than the narrowest
mesh of a basket tray that can be mounted to or installed on the
basket tray toollessly without cutting the mesh of the basket tray.
This, and other needs, is addressed by one or more aspects of the
present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,
while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in,
the context of cable radius anchors for use in connection with a
wire mesh basket tray, the present invention is not limited to use
only in connection with wire mesh basket trays, as will become
apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of
aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to one aspect
includes a cable radius anchor substantially as shown and
described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect
includes a cable radius anchor for providing cable transition that
includes a mounting portion configured for attachment relative to a
bottom portion of a wire mesh basket tray and a drop portion
attached to the mounting portion and configured to curve downwardly
away from the mounting portion. The mounting portion has an
undercut tab at an outer edge thereof for placement relative to a
wire of the wire mesh basket tray. The drop portion has extending
ears at each side thereof and a width greater than a width of the
mounting portion.
In features of this aspect, the cable radius anchor may further
include locking tabs for securement of the mounting portion to the
wire mesh basket tray; the cable radius anchor may further include
one or more accessory apertures; the mounting portion may be
attachable to the wire mesh basket tray toollessly; the mounting
portion may facilitate mounting of the cable radius anchor in a
front-to-back configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray;
the mounting portion may facilitate mounting of the cable radius
anchor in a side configuration relative to the wire mesh basket
tray; and the cable radius anchor may further include strengthening
ribs.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect
includes a cable radius anchor for providing cable transition that
includes a mounting portion configured for attachment relative to a
bottom portion of a wire mesh basket tray, a drop portion attached
to the mounting portion and configured to curve downwardly away
from the mounting portion, and locking tabs for securement of the
mounting portion to the wire mesh basket tray. The mounting portion
has an undercut tab at an outer edge thereof for placement relative
to a wire of the wire mesh basket tray. The drop portion has
extending ears at each side thereof.
In features of this aspect, the width of the drop portion may
change variably; the width of the drop portion may change
uniformly; the cable radius anchor may further include one or more
accessory apertures; the mounting portion may be attachable to the
wire mesh basket tray toollessly; the mounting portion may
facilitate mounting of the cable radius anchor in a front-to-back
configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray; the mounting
portion may facilitate mounting of the cable radius anchor in a
side configuration relative to the wire mesh basket tray; and the
cable radius anchor may further include strengthening ribs.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect
includes a cable radius anchor that includes a mounting portion
configured for toolless attachment relative to a bottom portion of
a wire mesh basket tray and a drop portion attached to the mounting
portion and configured to curve downwardly away from the mounting
portion.
In features of this aspect, the drop portion may have a width
greater than a width of the mounting portion; the cable radius
anchor may further include locking tabs for securement of the
mounting portion to the wire mesh basket tray; the cable radius
anchor may further include one or more accessory apertures; the
mounting portion may facilitate mounting of the cable radius anchor
in a front-to-back configuration relative to the wire mesh basket
tray; the mounting portion may facilitate mounting of the cable
radius anchor in a side configuration relative to the wire mesh
basket tray; and the cable radius anchor may further include
strengthening ribs.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to another aspect
includes a wire mesh basket tray having a cable radius anchor
installed thereon substantially as shown and described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to still another
aspect includes a method of installing a cable radius anchor in a
wire mesh basket tray substantially as shown and described.
Broadly defined, the present invention according to still yet
another aspect includes a method of toollessly installing a cable
radius anchor in wire mesh basket tray. The method includes
inserting a mounting portion of the cable radius anchor through a
mesh opening in the wire mesh basket tray such that a drop portion
of the cable radius anchor extends beneath a bottom portion of the
wire mesh basket tray; pushing the cable radius anchor to engage an
undercut tab of the mounting portion relative to a wire of the wire
mesh basket tray; and locking one or more locking tabs relative to
one or more wires of the wire mesh basket tray.
In features of this aspect, the method may further include twisting
the cable radius anchor to permit engagement of adjacent wires of
the wire mesh basket tray within a pair of slots at either side of
the drop portion of the cable radius anchor; and the method may
further include untwisting the cable radius anchor to arrange the
mounting portion generally flatly relative to the bottom portion of
the wire mesh basket tray.
In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the
present invention, it should be noted that the present invention
further encompasses the various possible combinations and
subcombinations of such aspects and features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will
be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings,
which are not necessarily to scale, wherein the same elements are
referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cable radius
anchor in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective environmental view depicting the cable
radius anchor of FIG. 1, shown in a front-to-back configuration
relative to a wire mesh basket tray;
FIG. 3 is a perspective environmental view depicting the cable
radius anchor of FIG. 1, shown in a side configuration relative to
a wire mesh basket tray; and
FIG. 4 is a perspective environmental view depicting two cable
radius anchors of the type depicted in FIG. 1, one each in the
front-to-back and side configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one
having ordinary skill in the relevant art ("Ordinary Artisan") that
the present invention has broad utility and application.
Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being
"preferred" is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated
for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may
be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a
full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover,
many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications,
and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the
embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the
present invention.
Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in
detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be
understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of
the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of
providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention.
The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not
intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be
defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not
intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present
invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found
herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps
of various processes or methods that are described herein are
illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be
understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may
be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order,
the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being
carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an
indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or
methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences
and orders while still falling within the scope of the present
invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent
protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the
appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein
refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such
term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To
the extent that the meaning of a term used herein--as understood by
the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such
term--differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition
of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as
understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, 6, no claim element
is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision
unless the explicit phrase "means for" or "step for" is actually
used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is
intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, "a" and
"an" each generally denotes "at least one," but does not exclude a
plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus,
reference to "a picnic basket having an apple" describes "a picnic
basket having at least one apple" as well as "a picnic basket
having apples." In contrast, reference to "a picnic basket having a
single apple" describes "a picnic basket having only one
apple."
When used herein to join a list of items, "or" denotes "at least
one of the items," but does not exclude a plurality of items of the
list. Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese or
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese without
crackers", "a picnic basket having crackers without cheese", and "a
picnic basket having both cheese and crackers." Finally, when used
herein to join a list of items, "and" denotes "all of the items of
the list." Thus, reference to "a picnic basket having cheese and
crackers" describes "a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the
picnic basket further has crackers," as well as describes "a picnic
basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has
cheese."
Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of
the present invention are next described. The following description
of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its
implementations, or uses.
Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an
embodiment of a cable radius anchor in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention. As shown, a cable radius anchor
10 generally includes a mounting portion 12 and a drop portion 14.
The mounting portion 12 is sheet-like with a generally flat shape.
The mounting portion 12 includes an undercut tab 24 at an end
thereof and a pair of locking tabs 26 extending from opposite sides
thereof at an end opposite the undercut tab 24. The drop portion 14
is sheet-like with a generally curved shape and is oriented to
curve away from the generally flat mounting portion 12. Curvature
in the drop portion 14 is selected so as to provide the cable
radius anchor 10 with an appropriate bend radius for transitioning
cables from a wire mesh basket tray.
The drop portion 14 includes a central arc portion 28 extending
away from the mounting portion 12 and having drop ears 32 at either
side thereof. The inclusion of drop ears 32 at either side of the
central arc portion 28 increases the overall width of the drop
portion 14 relative to the mounting portion 12. Extending from each
of the drop ears 32 is an extending portion 22 that extends
generally adjacent to the central arc portion 28, and thereby
defines open wire slots 20 between respective extending portions 22
and the central arc portion 28, the significance of which will be
explained in greater detail below. Notches 30 are situated on the
outwardly-facing side of the extending portion 22 of each of the
drop ears 32.
As discussed above, the drop portion 14 has a width that is greater
than the width of the mounting portion 12, thereby providing
additional space to support cables to be transitioned to and from a
wire mesh basket tray. As shown in FIG. 1, the width of the drop
portion 14 may be generally uniform along the length thereof. It is
also contemplated that the width of the drop portion 14 may change
in a uniform or variable manner along the length thereof, as might
be preferred. The cable radius anchor 10 may further include
accessory apertures 38 in order to provide flexibility in attaching
various optional accessories or cable ties to the cable radius
anchor 10. Apertures 38 may be added in any number or size in order
to accommodate specific preferred accessories to be used in
connection with the cable radius anchor 10. The geometry of the
apertures 38, the undercut tab 24, the locking tabs 26, and the
notches 30 may be modified as necessary to accommodate use of the
cable radius anchor 10 in connection with a wide variety of trays
or other cable management devices.
As further shown in FIG. 1, the mounting portion 12 and the drop
portion 14 are attached together such that the drop portion 14
extends downwardly away from the mounting portion 12. In
particular, the central arc portion 28 of the drop portion attaches
to the mounting portion 12 adjacent the pair of locking tabs 26. In
a preferred embodiment, the mounting portion 12 and the drop
portion 14 are an integral structure.
Strengthening ribs 34 extend from the mounting portion 12 to the
drop portion 14 in order to provide the drop portion 14 with
additional strength to resist deflection. As shown in FIG. 1, the
strengthening ribs 34 may extend substantially the entire length of
the drop portion 14. While two ribs 34 are shown, it is
contemplated that additional strengthening ribs may be utilized in
connection with the radius drop anchor 10 in order to provide added
rigidity and support to the structure. The radius drop anchor 10
may be composed of any material that provides sufficient strength
and rigidity to the structure when used to support cables
transitioned to and from a wire mesh basket tray, such as a metal
or metal-based material.
FIGS. 2-4 are perspective environmental views depicting the cable
radius anchor 10 of FIG. 1 in a use configuration relative to a
wire mesh basket tray 40. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, a wire mesh basket
tray 40 is assembled from a mesh configuration of spaced-apart
longitudinal wires 42',42'' and spaced-apart transverse cross wires
44',44''. Transverse cross wires 44',44'' are arranged to have a
general "U" shape and are attached to the longitudinal wires
42',42'' at intersection points, thereby defining the structure of
the tray 40. The general "U" shape in the longitudinal direction
provides the tray 40 with a bottom 50 for supporting cables and two
lateral sides 52. The tray 40 may be assembled from a series of
individual troughs that are attached end-to-end to form the desired
length or configuration.
In particular, FIG. 2 is a perspective environmental view depicting
the cable radius anchor 10 of FIG. 1, shown in a front-to-back
configuration relative to a wire mesh basket tray 40. In the
front-to-back configuration, the cable radius anchor 10 is situated
at the bottom 50 of the tray 40 and oriented to be lengthwise
relative to the tray 40. As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting portion
12 is positioned above two adjacent longitudinal wires 42' of the
tray 40. The mounting portion 12 is positioned such that the
undercut tab 24 at an end thereof is pushed snugly beneath a
transverse cross wire 44' intersecting the adjacent longitudinal
wires 42'. The undercut tab 24 sets the cable radius anchor 10 and
facilitates maintenance of the cable radius anchor 10 in a
generally flat position relative to the tray 40.
The central arc portion 28 is sufficiently narrow to fit between
the adjacent longitudinal wires 42' on which the mounting portion
12 is positioned. The central arc portion 28 thereby facilitates
positioning of the drop portion 14 downwardly beneath the bottom 50
of the tray 40. The adjacent longitudinal wires 42' on which the
mounting portion 12 is positioned come to rest in the open wire
slots 20 at either side of the central arc portion 28. With the
mounting portion 12 and the drop portion 14 in position, the
extending portions 22 of the drop ears 32 are situated at either
side of the central arc portion 28 between respective sets of
adjacent longitudinal wires 42',42''. The extending portions 22 of
the drop ears 32 are sized to fit snugly between the respective
sets of adjacent longitudinal wires 42',42''. Notches 30 on the
sides of the drop ears 32 engage the outermost longitudinal wires
42'' of the respective sets, thereby enabling the drop portion 14
to be set relative to the tray 14.
When the cable radius anchor 10 is fully positioned relative to the
tray 40 in the front-to-back configuration, locking tabs 26 may be
implemented for securing the cable radius anchor 10 to the tray 40.
The locking tabs 26 may be folded downward over the two adjacent
longitudinal wires 42' on which the mounting portion 12 is
positioned and adjacent another transverse cross wire 44'', which
itself is not necessarily adjacent to the transverse cross wire
44'. In this manner, the locking tabs 26, in conjunction with the
undercut tab 24, inhibit further movement of the cable radius
anchor 10 relative to the tray 40, thereby attaching the cable
radius anchor 10 to the tray 40 without the aid of tools.
When attached to the tray 40 in the front-to-back configuration,
the cable radius anchor 10 engages four adjacent longitudinal wires
42',42'' of the tray 40. The mounting portion 12 rests on the two
central-most longitudinal wires 42', and the drop portion 14 is
arranged relative to each of the four adjacent longitudinal wires
42',42''. With the central arc portion 28 extending downwardly
through the bottom 50 of the tray 40, the two central-most adjacent
longitudinal wires 42' rest in the open wire slots 20 of the drop
portion 14. Notches 30 of the extending portions 22 of the drop
ears 32 engage the two outermost longitudinal wires 42'' of the
group of four longitudinal wires. Additionally, the cable radius
anchor 10 engages the transverse cross wires 44',44'' of the tray
40, which, as mentioned above, may or may not be adjacent. The
undercut tab 24 engages transverse cross wire 44' and the locking
tabs 26 abut transverse cross wire 44'' when folded downward to a
locked position in order to secure the cable radius anchor 10 to
the tray 40.
When assembled in the front-to-back configuration, the cable radius
anchor 10 may be inserted from beneath the tray 40. In this regard,
the mounting portion 12 is inserted through a mesh opening defined
by adjacent longitudinal wires 42' and transverse cross wires
44',44'' of the tray 40. Once through the mesh opening, the cable
radius anchor 10 is twisted to allow the adjacent longitudinal
wires 42' to twist into the open wire slots 20 of the drop portion
14. The cable radius anchor 10 may then be untwisted to permit the
notches 30 of the drop ears 32 to engage two additional
longitudinal wires 42'' that are adjacent the longitudinal wires
42' that define the mesh opening. With the mounting portion 12 in a
generally flat position relative to the bottom 50 of the tray 40,
the cable radius anchor 10 may be slid forward to engage the
undercut tab 24 beneath the transverse cross wire 44'. To secure
the cable radius anchor 10 to the tray 40, the locking tabs 26 may
be folded downwardly over the adjacent longitudinal wires 42'.
FIG. 3 is a perspective environmental view depicting the cable
radius anchor 10 of FIG. 1, shown in a side configuration relative
to a wire mesh basket tray 40. In the side configuration, the cable
radius anchor 10 is situated at the bottom 50 of the tray 40 and
oriented to be crosswise relative to the tray 40. As shown in FIG.
3, the mounting portion 12 is positioned generally between two
adjacent transverse cross wires 44',44'' of the tray 40. The
mounting portion 12 is positioned such that the undercut tab 24 at
the end thereof is pushed snugly beneath a longitudinal wire 42'
intersecting the adjacent transverse cross wires 44',44''. The
undercut tab 24 sets the cable radius anchor 10 and facilitates
maintenance of the cable radius anchor 10 in a generally flat
position relative to the tray 40.
The central arc portion 28 fits between the adjacent transverse
cross wires 44',44'' between which the mounting portion 12 is
positioned. The central arc portion 28 thereby facilitates
positioning of the drop portion 14 downwardly beneath the bottom 50
of the tray 40. The locking tabs 26 may be implemented for securing
the cable radius anchor 10 to the tray 40 by folding each locking
tab 26 downwardly adjacent another longitudinal wire 42'', which
itself is not necessarily adjacent to longitudinal wire 42'. In
this manner, the locking tabs 26, in conjunction with the undercut
tab 24, inhibit further movement of the cable radius anchor 10
relative to the tray 40, thereby attaching the cable radius anchor
10 to the tray 40 without the aid of tools.
When assembled in the side configuration, the cable radius anchor
10 may be inserted from one of the lateral sides 52 of the tray 40
at the lowest mesh opening of the lateral side 52. The mounting
portion 12 may be pressed through the mesh opening until the
locking tabs 26 are just beyond longitudinal wire 42'' and the
undercut tab 24 engages beneath longitudinal wire 42'. To secure
the cable radius anchor 10 to the tray 40, the locking tabs 26 may
be folded downwardly to inhibit movement of the cable radius anchor
10.
The cable anchor radius 10 may be attached to the wire mesh basket
tray 40 in many possible locations and configurations. As shown in
FIG. 2, the front-to-back configuration permits the cable radius
anchor 10 to drop cables beneath a central location of the tray 40.
As shown in FIG. 3, the side configuration permits the cable radius
anchor 10 to drop cables beneath a side location of the tray 40.
FIG. 4 is a perspective environmental view depicting two cable
radius anchors 10 of the type depicted in FIG. 1, one each in the
front-to-back and side configurations. As shown in FIG. 4, multiple
cable radius anchors 10 may be used in connection with a wire mesh
basket tray 40 simultaneously in various configurations as might be
needed.
As can now be appreciated, the cable radius anchor 10 permits quick
and easy installation relative to a wire mesh basket tray 40 in
multiple configurations without the aid of tools.
In variations of the cable radius anchor 10 described above, it is
contemplated that the cable radius anchor 10 may be attached from
above the tray 40 rather than from beneath the tray 40.
Furthermore, it is contemplated that the cable radius anchor 10 may
be secured by one or more different mechanisms, including tabs that
may lock the cable radius anchor 10 when pushed from the side of
the cable radius anchor 10 rather than from the front or the back.
In this regard, it is further contemplated that carriage bolt
apertures may be included in the cable radius anchor to permit the
use of carriage bolts to further secure the cable radius anchor
with a splice washer or clamp washer, should tool-based securement
mechanisms be desired.
In another variation, it is contemplated that the locking tabs 26
may be preloaded or prefolded to engage and lock the cable radius
anchor 10 into position once installed on the tray 40.
In still another variation, it is contemplated that the cable
radius anchor 10 may be modified so as to have the central arc
portion 28 extend beneath a wire 42,44 of the tray 40 rather than
above the wire 42,44 as shown in FIGS. 2-4.
In still yet another variation, the undercut tab 24 of the mounting
portion 12 may be modified for use in the side configuration.
Specifically, the length or depth of the undercut tab 24 may be
modified to facilitate a better fit for the cable radius anchor 10
when used in the side configuration.
Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood
by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is
susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and
adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically
described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and
equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably
suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions
thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has
been described herein in detail in relation to one or more
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure
is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is
made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling
disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not
intended to be construed to limit the present invention or
otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations,
variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present
invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the
equivalents thereof.
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